Coaster Enthusiasts of Canada

Amusement Ride

MOTION SICKNESS
PREVENTION

THE FOLLOWING MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED
WITHOUT PERMISSION FROM THE AUTHOR ©

Here Are Preventive Methods:

• Head Balance:  Should you feel ill, close your eyes so you can't see the horizon moving. On constant G-force rides try to keep your head still and in the plane of motion: that is, face the way you are travelling (if possible) and don't lean your head. So on a ride like The "Loop-O-Plane" or its modern version - "Kamikaze"\"Sky Master", keep your head squarely on your shoulders.
  
      Tilting your head sideways is likely to confuse your balance system which may lead to queasiness. If you do feel nauseated, draw in large amounts of air through your mouth and hold for a second or two, then repeat several times. This will temporarily reduce the immediate urge to throw up, hopefully until you exit the ride.
  
  
• Reduce Acids:  Extra stomach juices are secreted due to the stress of the rides on your body. These acids cause upset which may lead to sickness. So never ride on a empty stomach because there is no food there to absorb the acid. Instead, eat a small meal one to two hours before riding. Since most of you readers are likely to spend an entire day in a park I will give these breakfast suggestions:
  
  
1. Avoid the Following: coffee, tea, carbonated soft drinks, and fruit juices. These greatly contribute to excess stomach acid which you want to avoid at all costs. Also coffee, tea, and some soft drinks contain caffeine which can elevate the heart rate. On a very hot day you might become overheated and sweat more, causing dehydration. This would be uncomfortable at the least and could lead to heat stroke at the most. As well, carbonated beverages will contribute to a bloated feeling which may lead to sickness. Another food for some people to avoid is egg yokes - especially runny, undercooked ones.
   
   
2. Foods to Eat would be oatmeal, bread/toast, muffins, plain non-sugared doughnuts (referred to as cake doughnuts), or non-sugary cereals. An overabundance of sugar may cause hyper-activity which is to be avoided on hot days where you will spend long periods in the sun. Do not eat excessive amounts; in fact I suggest an amount slightly less than normal.
   
   
3. Suggested Beverages would be water or milk.
   

• Gravol:  In addition, I can't stress enough how well drugs like Gravol or the U.S. version - Dramamine, work at averting motion sickness. Some people don't take it because the active ingredient Dimenhydrinate, may cause tiredness. However a time-release version overcomes this by giving an amount to help immediately and then releasing small doses throughout the day. This slow release not only makes the effect last over a long period of time, but also reduces the chance of drowsiness due to the small amount in your system at any given instant.
  
      Cost for Time-Release Gravol in capsule form, ranges from about 30 to 50 cents Canadian per 75 milligram dose depending on the quantity bought. It comes 10 or 30 capsules to a package. Note that this drug is not as good a cure as it is a preventative, so you should take it (preferably with the breakfast you should eat) an hour or so before riding. I find that with Time Release Gravol I can eat moderately and ride all day with absolutely no discomfort.
  
  
• Bonamine:  An alternative to Gravol is Bonamine. Its active ingredient, Meclizine, is said to cause less drowsiness than Gravol. It is also available in a time-release formula but is higher in cost than Gravol, at around 47 to 70 cents Canadian per dose.
  
  
• The Patch:  There is a patch available that is worn on the body like a smoker's patch, but instead, behind the ear. It should be placed in position about 12 hours before riding. It works by administering the drug Scopolamine Hydrobromide through the skin. It may be worn up to 3 days, but cannot be reused. Two patches are provided for $12.99 Canadian, with only one worn per 3 days. The active ingrediant is also available in oral form, but be aware that either way, this drug may cause drowsiness in some users. Check the Scopace website.
  
  
• Ginger Capsules:  Another method is to try Ginger capsules. This herbal remedy works for some in a manner similar to drinking flat ginger ale. Cost is about 24 cents Canadian per capsule.
  
  
• Wristband:  For those that wish to try a drug-free method, there are wristbands that apply pressure to an acupuncture point on the forearm. One brand is Sea-Band which sells for $17.99 Canadian for two bracelets. Both must be worn, one on each wrist in the correct position to be effective. Even worn properly, they may not work for everyone.
  
  
• Doctor Visit:  Finally, for those that are still having troubles, schedule a visit with an ear doctor. There may be a problem with inner ear fluids or other, and he/she should be able to sort out your difficulties.

    (Thanks to pharmacist Yvette Richard of Shoppers
Drug Mart in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada for
providing information on Bonamine, Scopolamine,
Sea-Band and Ginger Capsules.)

Prices are Subject to Change.

In Addition

Here are some other Views:

• -Directory of Motion Sickness Prevention Sites

HAPPY RIDING !!!

Go to The
Coaster Enthusiasts of Canada
Main Page.